By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 31 August 2015:
The Tripoli currency black market, the main source of foreign currency for Libyans wanting dollars . . .[restrict]and euros, has closed with Rada (deterrence) forces arresting dealers.
They have been accused of profiteering from the plunging Libyan dinar.
The arrests started yesterday and continued today in the suq in the old city and in the Dahra district, where several currency exchange shops are also located and where Rada forces were in evidence today.
Many dealers are known to have stayed at home over the past few days and had not opened for business, reportedly because it was not worth it but also, it is alleged, because some had been expecting a backlash.
The Tripoli black market rate has slightly since come down to LD 2.93 to the dollar from LD 2.95 to the dollar on Sunday (although some dealers were asking LD 3.05).
In Benghazi, where dealers were also blamed in the past few days for the dinar’s fall, with posters calling for a boycott of them, the dollar-dinar rate has also fallen, from a high of LD 3.10 to LD 2.86 at present.
In Tunisia, the main foreign destination for most Libyans, there are variations in the rate. Just across the border, at Ben Guardane, the rate today was up to 70 Tunisian dinars to 100 Libyan dinars. But in Tunis, Libya Herald was quoted 60 Tunisian dinars to LD 100.
It is still possible to exchange currency on the black market in Tripoli, although the dealing has now gone underground. [/restrict]
